From our guests Johanna and Lukas
In September 2024, they circumnavigated Lake Constance by bike in just four days - a tour full of wonderful experiences.
From the start in Constance, their route took them through the old town of Stein am Rhein, to St. Nicholas Minster in Überlingen and to the pile dwellings in Unteruhldingen. Despite minor mishaps such as a flat tire and a rain shower on the way to Lindau, they didn't let the fun get in the way. They were rewarded with wonderful views and regional specialties.
A successful trip, which they describe to us enthusiastically.
As we only have about 2 hours to travel to Constance, we decided to complete the 6-day trip in 4 days, i.e. we skipped the two overnight stays in Constance at the beginning and end.
Day 1: Tuesday, September 24:
Departure from home around 6:30 am. We had already mounted the bikes (pedelecs) on the bike rack the evening before so that we could set off straight away. At Friedrichshafen we got into a small traffic jam, which cost us about 20 minutes. A small mishap then occurred in Meersburg: we mistakenly entered the BSB port as our destination in the navigation system, even though we wanted to go to the car ferry. We were then parked in front of the pedestrian zone and had to turn around again. Once we arrived at the car ferry, we continued quite quickly. Just as we had reached our parking position on the ferry, it set off. The ferry from Meersburg to Constance costs 18 euros for a car with two passengers, which is absolutely fine due to the 12-minute frequency during the day and saves about an hour's travel time.
When we arrived at Radweg-Reisen in Constance, we were greeted by a friendly member of staff who immediately took our suitcases and then directed us to the parking lot about 200 meters away.
At around 10 a.m. we set off from Constance in the direction of Stein am Rhein. It was a little windy at first, but the weather improved as the day progressed and it was very pleasant for cycling. In Stein am Rhein we stopped for a snack, visited the Sankt Georgen monastery museum and strolled through the pedestrian zone.
Shortly after Stein am Rhein, we crossed the border from Switzerland into Germany (of which we didn't notice anything apart from the traffic signs and license plates) and continued cycling along the lake towards Gaienhofen / Radolfzell. Shortly before Moos, we stopped at a viewing platform with a beautiful view of Radolfzell.
Once we arrived in Radolfzell, we parked our bikes in the "Höllturm" underground car park, from which there is direct access to the "Hotel am Stadtgarten" via an elevator. After checking into our rooms, we strolled through the old town and enjoyed coffee and cake. In the evening, we stopped off at the "Lisele" restaurant (recommended to us by a friend), where we indulged in home-style cooking.
Day 2: Wednesday, September 25
After breakfast, we set off on our next stage in beautiful fall weather, which took us around Lake Überlingen to Friedrichshafen. Passing apple orchards where the harvest was in full swing, we first went overland to Ludwigshafen. There we reached Lake Überlingen and cycled to Überlingen, where we visited the old town and St. Nicholas Minster. Our next stop was the pile dwellings in Unteruhldingen. Even though these are replicas, you can really put yourself in the shoes of the people who built the pile dwellings in this area around 6000 years ago.
We then continued on to Meersburg, where we strolled through the pedestrian zone (where we had already been by car the day before 😊) and enjoyed an ice cream. As we rode on towards Friedrichshafen, we noticed that a pedelec had no air in the rear wheel. The bike store "s Sporträdle" in Immenstaad is prepared for such incidents; there is a station on the outside wall where you can refill the air in the tire yourself using a compressor, which the friendly employee pointed out to us.
In Friedrichshafen, we checked into the "City-Krone" hotel, which is centrally located and very close to the harbor. There are even power sockets in the bike garage where the pedelec batteries can be conveniently charged. After a walk along the lakeside promenade, we enjoyed dinner in the outdoor area of the "Spitalkeller" restaurant with a good glass of wine and a beautiful view of Lake Constance.
Day 3: Thursday, September 26
A special bonus for cyclists at the "City-Krone" hotel in Friedrichshafen is the water bubbler, where you can fill up your water bottles conveniently and free of charge.
Unfortunately, we were a bit unlucky with the weather today. We waited at the hotel until 10 a.m. in the hope of a break in the rain. After about a kilometer on the bike, we turned around and decided to take the boat to Lindau. Unfortunately, we missed the 27 km section for a complete tour around Lake Constance by bike, but the boat trip made up for it. Fortunately, the rain has almost stopped when we arrive in Lindau, so we can at least cycle part of today's stage. After a stop in Bregenz for coffee and cake, we cycle on to Höchst, where we arrive at the "Smarten Hotel" at around 3 pm. The reception here is not staffed between 12 noon and 4 p.m., but the room card is deposited so that we can check into our room straight away.
In the evening, we walked in the pouring rain along the busy road (where we had to be careful not to get splashed by passing cars and buses) to the partner hotel "Linde", where we enjoyed excellent traditional cuisine.
Day 4: Friday, September 27
Today we complete our tour of Lake Constance with the last stage on the Swiss side back to Constance. The weather forecast predicts rain in Constance from 1 pm, so we set off at 9 am. At first the sun is still shining, which we enjoy during a stop at the port of Arbon. We continue to Romanshorn, where we make another short stop. On the last section to Constance, the wind and light drizzle start to pick up, so we pedal hard again and arrive in Constance at 12 noon.
We are told by Radweg-Reisen that our suitcases will arrive at around 3 pm. We put our bike bags in the car and cycle back to the old town, where we park the bikes, stroll through the old town and climb the 193 steps of the cathedral tower. We then visit the state exhibition at the Archaeological Museum in Constance before picking up our bags at around 4 p.m. and setting off on our journey home.
Conclusion:
The trip was very well organized by Radweg-Reisen. The personalized travel guide contains precise route descriptions, a good description of the hotels and lots of interesting information. Our luggage was always there before us at the hotels, even when we arrived at 3 pm.
The hotels in Radolfzell and Friedrichshafen are very centrally located, making it easy to explore the old town on foot. The length of the daily stages is very pleasant at 50 - 60 km and easy to master with pedelecs. You also have enough time to take breaks and explore the area.
One thing that could be improved is the width of the double beds. These were a bit narrow in the hotels in Radolfzell and Höchst.
All in all, we enjoyed this trip very much and can highly recommend it!
